Friday 26 September 2014

Racism findings-Complacent Brent goes for internal review by Pavey rather than independent inquiry

Despite calls by Brent Green Party, Brent Trades Union Council, Brent Againt Racism Campaign, Brent Labour Representation Committee and many individuals on this blog, Brent Council today decided to deal with the findings of racial discrimination,  victimisation and constructive dismissal against it with an internal review.

The review will be led by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Michael Pavey, not someone anyone could claim is independent on this issue. He is extremely close to  Labour Leader, Muhammed Butt.

Pavey will look for 'mprovements in 'policy and practice'.

At the same time, ignoring the depth of feeling aroused in the Brent Council workforce over this issue the Council has decided to appeal against the judgment, telling the Kilburn Times LINK
Following independent legal advice, we have decided to appeal as there ppeal to be legal errors in the Tribunal's reasoning, in particular on the direct race disrmination and victimsation aspects of the judgement.

This does not mean we are complacent. We accept there are impoertant lessons to be learned from this case.
Sorry, this does mean you are complacent and that you have learned nothing from what was revealed about the workings of the Human Resources department in the Tribunal papers and the lies and mismanagement of the Corporate Management Team itself.

Following rumours yesterday that a Labour councillor was resigning over the Tribunal case and the Council's position on it, there was a resignation today - but only 'personal reasons' were stated.

Cllr Keith Perrin (Northwick Park) lead member for Environment resigned from the Cabinet today but will stay on as a ward councillor.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Words cannot explain how disgusted I was when I read the insult to staff that was posted on the intranet this afternoon, as if those staff who have been personally bullied by Davani isn't offended enough, then to have to sit and read the tripe that was written is like a kick in the face. Unbelievable.

Martin Francis said...

We would all like to see it. Email mafran@globalnet.co.uk

Martin Francis said...

Basically the same as press statement given to Kilburn Times:

Staff will be aware that the Council has lost an Employment Tribunal Case. This was a disappointing and surprising decision. Brent Council takes all allegations of racial discrimination, victimisation, harrassment or bullying extremely seriously. We are proud of the diverse nature of our workforce and proud to have one of the highest black and minority ethnic staff populations in London.

Following independent legal advice, we have decided to appeal as there appear to be legal errors in the Tribunal reasoning, in particular on the direct race discrimination and victimisation aspects of the judgement.
This does not mean we are complacent. We accept there are important lessons to be learned from this case. In recent, small group meetings, eight of ten of our staff told us they were confident in our human resources and equalities policies and procedures, and felt supported by them. We want all staff to share that confidence.

To ensure that we learn lessons from this case, Cllr Pavey, Deputy Leader, who has responsibility for Equalities and the Council's role as employer, will take stock of our policies and practice to see where improvements can be made.'

Anonymous said...

Even though we knew they would sit back and do nothing somehow (and i don't know why) a tiny, little piece of me hoped that Butt would man up and do the right thing if not for staff but for the residents. But reading it there in black and white i felt deeply offended. The bare faced cheek of it. The audacity is simply mind-blowing. They obviously think we are stupid and are treating us as such. I just don't know how Butt sleeps at night.

Anonymous said...

I wonder who the aforementioned 8 are? Mmm any guesses?

Anonymous said...

Change.org is a good place to start for effecting change.

Anonymous said...

As well as the above statement staff were also sent this message via the CE blog (extract): Finally, above all it is our people and how we work together as a team that will enable us to ensure the best possible outcomes for Brent residents. Working together requires respect, collaboration and ability to listen and empathise. To support this, the council has robust, up-to-date policies around equalities, whistleblowing, bullying and harrassment and we take these issues very seriously. Please remind yourselves of these policies.

Anonymous said...

I have just read this and I am speechless and in absolute despair. How can this be?

Anonymous said...

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/local-news/black-worker-brent-council--7831484

Unknown said...

Obviously this is not an acceptable response,,,challenging the verdict of an IT is arrogant and reckless, and appointing Cllr Pavey to review the situation not much short of a joke. By doing this the leader of Brent Council is demonstrating naivety and a willingness to waste public funds to try and save face ( when he should actually be apologising and making amends)...this will make the situation worse

Anonymous said...

I think we should be grateful to Butt. The council's statement is an unintentional endorsement of everything that has appeared on this blog up to now on this issue. It's therefore very encouraging. Butt has opted for an internal investigation, rather than an objective, fair, external one. It's to be headed up by his most loyal chum rather than an external, respected, fair and objective outside adjudicator. Why would he possibly choose that option I wonder? And I won't be the only one wondering. He couldn't have made it clearer that Davani, Ledden, Gilbert and he don't have a leg to stand on if he'd asked his mum to oversee the investigation and his dog to check the results.
The 'investigation' is, by his actions, already dead in the water. Its conclusions are guaranteed to be a joke by the very nature of their origins. The best he can hope for is that he's gained a little time in which to cobble together a mutually acceptable exit strategy for the discredited individuals he chose to lumber himself with.
The pressure obviously needs to be kept up and evidence needs to be offered by affected staff. The cost of the appeal against the tribunal verdict on Davani needs to be added to the increasing cost to the borough's funds of Butt's indulgence of her.
It's tragic in a way but Butt's now in a very deep hole Many good people have expended a lot of energy trying to point this out to him. But he's decided to reject them and to reject their hopes for what he and his group could, with some principled action, still be. He's decided, rather, to keep digging. Why would anyone now want to stop him?
Mike Hine

Anonymous said...

It has already been decided that CD will not face any action

Anonymous said...

It doesn't matter. It's worthless as evidence of anything and merely shows their desperation. Don't let it distract you from making the reality clear to as many people as possible. That's the priority.

Anonymous said...

'We take these issues very seriously'. Every defensive statement from the police and any government department or corporate group over the last 15 years has contained these words. They translate as: 'Shit! You've caught us out not taking these issues very seriously at all in practice. However, if we tell you that we do take them seriously and that we have 'robust procedures in place' to deal with them, you'll be dumb enough to go away and not bother us for a while. Enjoy the rest of your day.'

Nan Tewari said...

So a major rush to set up this whitewash today. It is interesting that it follows on so closely from the publication of my letter to the Rt Hon Eric Pickles PM that would have been posted up her this morning. It is even more interesting that it also follows on the heels of the Brent Trades Council resolution and Graham Durham's letter to the Labour councillors.

Once might almost speculate that the council is trying to head off a proper inquiry with their mickey mouse review. One might further speculate that the leadership is trying to keep its own side quiet with the bromide of said internal review.

How is it that when the council wants to get rid of someone, they immediately engage the services of an external consultant (albeit one of Davani's mates) but decide that someone internal, and thus hardly impartial, would be adequate to look into their own misdeeds - actual, not alleged?.

Anonymous said...

Improvements.

Dismiss Cara Davani immediately.

If a normal staff member where found guilty as Ms Davani has been found they would immediately be dismissed.

Let's not have another internal smokescreen to protect the guilty parties.

Anonymous said...

There is common known phrase that is deemed to be gross misconduct in any local authority or public sector organisation. That is 'bringing the Council into disrepute'.

If this whole fiasco doesn't fall under that category, then I don't know what does. One individual has been found to against and led the council to be seen as racist. In this day and age it doesn't get any worse.

By failing to take disciplinary action against CD, Brent Council are condoning these actions and the Labour party are in danger of loosing local support. Residents are angered by this absolute mess.

There is clearly fear of conducting a review which is independent and external of the council. A very patronising statement from the looks of things.

Other staff face disciplinary action and loose their jobs for much less, and Brent Council are in danger of having a whole heap of cases going to ET as a result.

Anonymous said...

Internal review by Pavey they might as well as told us Davani is conducting it - no difference there whatsoever. What a load of crap.

Anonymous said...

Bog Shvarg this is what we are dealing with arrogance, disregard and recklessnes.
The council has the cheek to announce to staff that they had lost the tribunal on the 26th Sep...22 days after the judgement. Only provided a response because of Wembley Matters and the Kilburn Times. What are they doing/making decisons with matters that we don't know about. I am absolutely disgusted. Brent's reputation is in tatters and each CMT member and senior manager must go. They are making decisions for their own reputations not for the good of staff or residents. It is appalling. Re Pavey - please I am insulted even more. Pavey - don't bother to wast your time. Your responsible for equalities, Davani wrote the policies and heads up equalities and staff can't talk to you because they will get the sack...It's more than a joke.

Anonymous said...

Staff were warned by Davani not to take their issues to Cllrs, if they do they will face disciplinary action. It's just dire.

Martin Francis said...

The bigger question now is "Who runs Brent Council?"

Anonymous said...

Well Pavey does like saltfish, ackee and curried goat (according to the Brent Magazine) so he must be qualified to carry out this review!!

Anonymous said...

Simple - Davani does!

Anonymous said...

Ok, it makes sense now why he is lead member for equalities.

Anonymous said...

It's all about the superficialities. How patronising is that! What an insult to his constituents.

Anonymous said...

I sense a kind of acceptance creeping in in these comments as if people are already starting to get used to what Davani has been found guilty of and used to Butt's response to it. As if, well, what do you expect? This is understandable but it plays into their hands. What they've done is outrageous and must be treated as such. Don't get used to it, nurture the disgust and keep it burning. Stay outraged and make the outrage loud and impossible for them and the media to ignore.

Anonymous said...

What about the Marion Hoffman tribunal win, any news on that? Let's see how 'surprised and disappointed' they are about that as well.

Martin Francis said...

Judgment not yet published.

Anonymous said...

I'm rather 'surprised and disappointed' (sound familiar?) about the lack of response from Eric Pickles. How is it that someone in that position can simply ignore the serious content of the correspondence sent to him.

Nan - Is it possible to write to the person/forward everything tot he person above him? We have to escalate if he's not responding. It's unfair that evidence exist to show the corruption and nothing is happening to the alleged perpetrators. A handful of people in powerful positions will bring the Council down.................................that is beyond awful.

Mr Anony

Anonymous said...

Pickles is a Tory. There's an election next year. What's best for the Tory party in this situation? Act now to reveal the 'hypocrisy' and 'corruption' of Labour politicians when in power? Leave the whole thing to stew while it provides a longer-term bonus for the Tories? Create a fuss about it early next year so it has more pre-election impact?
Assuming that many of these council chancers have aspirations beyond mere LOCAL government, and bearing in mind the possible consequences for Labour of the factors mentioned above, it might be that Milliband ought to be more interested and ultimately able to exert more pressure on their actions than Pickles.
Mike Hine

Nan said...

I assume Cllr Pavey also has black friends ........ so re-assuring.

Anonymous said...

The council executive especially Fiona Ledden should hang their heads in shame and resign their handsomely paid jobs with immediate effect. In her role as Democratic Services Manager she should be beyond reproach as she is the person delegated to make sure that Brent follows all its legal obligations to its staff, residents and the general public. As with this case and others which she has consistently failed to investigate wrongdoing she has no right to be in her position for which we pay to employ her handsomely.

Anonymous said...

There is continued systemic and institutional racism within councils. It continues to run to the core.

We have gone backwards in the past 10 years. If we look at key institutions, we will notice the lack of genuine diversity within the structures, particularly within the professionalised and senior ranks.

Further, there are no checks, no recourse. Ultimately, no accountably.

What’s happening at Brent does not surprise me. How can we as a society ask for groups to integrate when the means by which they can achieve this are withheld form them?!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Mike for your views on this. Politics is a dirty game, but we can't really wait that long. Council employees need something done sooner rather than later.

Mr. Anony

Anonymous said...

Further details of internal enquiry.
-----------------
It's all well and good saying your organisation is the second most diverse in London and you value and embrace cultural diversity. Or further more that you do not tolerate bullying or harassment.

Pictures depicting cultural diversity in the foyer of the council offices mean absolutely nothing if you can't tackle and deal with the inbred bullying, intimidation and corruption that is ongoing.

These are just words that anyone can spout out.

This ridiculous talk of speaking to staff as part of the enquiry to see if they understand policies is madness. It just makes people more angry.

Getting working groups together...really?Staff want an external investigation. Anything else just won't do and is a waste of time.

Brents reputation can only be salvaged with the departure of 4 key players.